71-Year-Old Vying To Become Oldest Miss USA Contestant

A 71-year-old woman from Texas is vying to become the oldest Miss USA contestant in history.

Marissa Teijo , of El Paso, became the oldest woman to ever compete for Miss Texas USA during the ongoing pageant involving nearly 100 contestants in Houston this weekend.

“‘I am delighted to be a part of this incredible new experience as a contestant in the Miss Texas USA pageant,” Teijo wrote on her Instagram account. "In doing so, I hope to inspire women to strive to be their best physical and mental self and believe there is beauty at any age."

The Miss Texas USA pageant winner will go on to represent the state in the upcoming Miss USA pageant in Los Angeles on August 4. Teijo is eligible to compete after the Miss Universe Organization removed its age limits in an effort to make its pageant more inclusive.

Teijo's participation in the Miss Texas USA pageant comes two months after Alejandra Rodriguez , a 60-year-old lawyer, was crowned Miss Universe Buenos Aires ahead of the Miss Argentina and Miss Universe pageants. R'Bonney Gabriel , now 30, who represented the United States in the Miss Universe 2022 pageant, is currently the oldest contestant to have claimed the title at the age of 28.